A secret forest, a crocodile swamp and an amazing adventure course makes Kelburn Country Centre one of Scotland's most thrilling days out for kids.
Based around a 13th Century castle that's had an amazing makeover courtesy of a team of Brazilian artists, the estate near Largs, Ayrshire also features pony-trekking and a fabulous pets' corner for the little ones.
But there's plenty to keep the adults occupied too, with dramatic walks, breathtaking gardens and many features of historical interest.
The Kelburn Glen with its waterfalls and deep gorges is regarded as one of Scotland’s most beautiful woodlands and leads to spectacular views over the islands of the Firth of Clyde.
Brief History of Kelburn Castle
Kelburn is thought to be the oldest castle in Scotland to have been continuously inhabited by the same family.
Orginally the family name was de Boyville but this changed over the years to Boyle. The de Boyvilles from Caen in Normandy came over to Britain with William the Conqueror in 1066 and the present branch of the family settled in Kelburn in 1140.
Nobody knows for certain when a stone building was first constructed on the site, but the original Norman Keep, designed for defence rather than comfort, was probably built by 1200.
The original Norman Keep is now enclosed within a grander castle, completed in 1581 by the then Laird, David Boyle, at a time when the family was emerging from relative obscurity and beginning to wield some influence within the local community. The 1581 castle can be clearly distinguished from the more recent parts of the building by its two impressive towers on opposite corners.
The present tenth Earl of Glasgow and his wife, Isabel, started Kelburn Country Centre in 1977, opening most of Kelburn's grounds and gardens to the public and introducing new attractions. The castle too has recently been open for guided tours at specific times of the year and it is available for functions and private parties at all times.
Kelburn Grounds and Gardens
Kelburn Castle is beautifully situated at the foot of a spectacular glen, 100ft above sea level, half a mile from the sea, overlooking the islands of the Firth of Clyde.
One of Kelburn's most outstanding features is its glen.
In the space of just over half a mile, the Kel Burn, which has helped to form the glen over thousands of years, rises on the moors 800ft above the Castle and drops dramatically by way of waterfalls and deep gorges to the sea. The glen is a wealth of wild flowers and ferns, shrubs and trees.
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Kelburn Castle, Country Centre and Estate